The human race.

The programme examines the issue of profit in relation to the human genome project. The Sanger Centre, Cambridge, hopes to finish sequencing the human genome shortly after 2000. The Sanger Centre's HUGO project makes no profit and publishes all its research. Celera Genomics, U.S., owned by geneticist Craig Venter, is also engaged in sequencing the human genome but all the genes it isolates will be patented and the information will be sold to pharmacological companies or any one else who can pay for it. Dr. David Bentley (Sanger Centre) argues against patenting; Dr. Alan Handyside (St. Thomas' Hospital, London) who pioneered a genetic test for spinal muscular atrophy, fears that doctors will be prevented from offering such tests to prospective parents by patent holders intent on profit. Wendy Watson, who was tested for the breast cancer gene, opposes the marketing of this test because this would limit it to those who could afford it. Mark Skolnick (Myriad Genetics, Utah) who isolated and patented the breast cancer gene is seeking for more disease-causing genes with the intention of patenting them. Also considered is the question of whether parents should be able to 'design' their future child and whether increasing pressure to test for inherited diseases will bring about a genetic underclass. Dr. James Watson who helped set up HUGO is among those contributing to the debate.